H.E. Mr. Chen Daojiang, Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, together with the Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness and Deputy Prime Minister Horace Chang, attended the Ground-Breaking Ceremony of Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project in Montego Bay on 16 July, 2022.

Ambassador Chen made remarks during the ceremony as follow:

I am very happy to come here to witness the Ground Breaking Ceremony of Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project. First, please allow me, on behalf of the Chinese government, to  congratulate you on the ground breaking of this project. It is very meaningful to make my first English speech in Jamaica here.

There is a saying in China “ To be rich, build a road”. Infrastructure investment is important to the socio-economic development of a country. This is the valuable lesson we learned from China’s fast development since the Reform and Opening up 40 years ago. The Belt and Road Cooperation is to improve the connectivity of more countries. It will help us achieve common development and build a community with a shared future for mankind. I am very happy to see that our two countries share the same vision on this. I believe, the Montego Bay Perimeter Road will be a road that improves the conditions of the west and leads to convenience, but also a road that promotes the socio-economic development of Jamaica and leads to prosperity. More importantly, it is a road that shows the shared goals of our two countries and leads to the long-lasting friendship.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence and its way to “reignite a nation for greatness”. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and Jamaica. Two countries face new development opportunities. President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative last year, which put connectivity one of the most important areas. China wish to take this chance to deepen practical cooperation including infrastructure with Jamaica. The two countries could implement the GDI together and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to carry the China-Jamaica strategic partnership to a new level.

CHEC is one of the first Chinese companies that enter Jamaica. The North-South High way it built has been a good example of bilateral cooperation. We will witness the signing ceremony between CHEC and HEART, the Jamaican official training organization. China will deepen cooperation with Jamaica in infrastructure development and training talents. I believe, with its rich experience and professionalism, CHEC will build Montego Bay Perimeter Road with high quality and finish the project on time. This project would be another benchmark of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

I wish this project a complete success.

Thank you.